SmallSat revolution: Tiny satellites poised to make big contributions to essential science
Jan 28, 2017 07:27 am UTC| Science
Tiny satellites, some smaller than a shoe box, are currently orbiting around 200 miles above Earth, collecting data about our planet and the universe. Its not just their small stature but also their accompanying smaller...
Some scientific explanations for alien abduction that aren't so out of this world
Jan 28, 2017 06:37 am UTC| Science
Accounts of mysterious flashing lights in the sky, spacecrafts and encounters with real aliens reflect high levels of public interest in UFOs and the belief that there is something out there. However, many psychologists...
The Outer Space Treaty has been remarkably successful -- but is it fit for the modern age?
Jan 28, 2017 06:12 am UTC| Science Economy Law
Space exploration is governed by a complex series of international treaties and agreements which have been in place for years. The first and probably most important of them celebrates its 50th anniversary on January 27 ...
Why the Earth's magnetic poles could be about to swap places – and how it would affect us
Jan 27, 2017 10:43 am UTC| Science
The Earths magnetic field surrounds our planet like an invisible force field protecting life from harmful solar radiation by deflecting charged particles away. Far from being constant, this field is continuously changing....
Six cosmic catastrophes that could wipe out life on Earth
Jan 19, 2017 12:56 pm UTC| Science
If you ask yourself what the biggest threat to human existence is youd probably think of nuclear war, global warming or a large-scale pandemic disease. But assuming we can overcome such challenges, are we really...
Astronomers spot strange, bow-like structure in Venus' atmosphere
Jan 17, 2017 15:01 pm UTC| Science
Venus is known both as the planet of love and the Earths evil twin. And although research suggests its environment is more hellish than romantic, theres actually a lot we dont know about our celestial neighbour. Now...
We can learn a lot from the changing night sky
Jan 07, 2017 01:10 am UTC| Science
You cannot feel or hear the world turning. It does not rumble through space. But you can see it turn with your own eyes every day and night. And, with patience, you can see Earth travel around the Sun. As the globe...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal – and why it won’t go back
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
Sudan: civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight